Will The Real Jose Stand Up?

Phil Neville has called on Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho to scrap his "reserved" demeanour and rediscover his "fighting" spirit.

The Portuguese has cut a sombre figure on the touchline at times this season as his side have made an underwhelming start to his tenure at Old Trafford.

The low point of Mourinho's fledgling United career came on Sunday away to his former club Chelsea, who inflicted an embarrassing 4-0 defeat - the heaviest of his reign thus far.

However, United atoned for that setback to some extent on Wednesday, booking their place in the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup with a morale-boosting 1-0 victory at home to Manchester City.

Former United defender Neville claims the club's supporters accept the current teething problems Mourinho is facing but he claims the manager could appease fans' concerns by displaying more passion on the sidelines.

"Jose said after the game at Chelsea how he felt embarrassed," Neville told Sky Sports.

"The supporters are not unhappy with Jose, but they are waiting for the real Jose to come out.

"When I see him in interviews and on the touchline, he looks a little bit reserved.

"I want him to come out and show the real Jose, where he's fighting the world like he was at Chelsea.

"He went to war with Pep when they were at Real Madrid and Barcelona and you just hope he does it again.

"Sir Alex Ferguson did it all the time with managers that were competing against him. With a couple more wins under his belt, I hope we see the real Jose.

"I look back at previous managers of this club and they've never been afraid of saying what they want and acting like they have.

"Yes, there are traditions you have to uphold but United fans want to see the real Jose bring the siege mentality he had at Chelsea to Old Trafford."

United host Burnley on Saturday looking for a first league win in three, a result which would see them stay in touch with the top six in the Premier League.

And Neville believes victory in the EFL Cup over City can act as a springboard for his former club's push for the title.

"When you look at United's next six games, victory over City can act as a springboard," he added. "United aren't on a disastrous run, they've only lost one in the last seven.

"If they start hitting the ground now in the league, they are still in the title race as they're only six points behind the leaders.

"City aren't playing well, and teams are dropping points so it's not a disaster."

Credit: Skysports.com